Privately-funded film studio in Sudbury will generate $60M in annual revenue: report
Out of the ashes of the controversial Kingsway Entertainment District, funding is already in place to build a new $40 million film studio on the same piece of land in Greater Sudbury.
A report headed to city council Dec. 13 said private investors have committed $17 million for the construction of the 116,000-square-foot Freshwater Production Studio on The Kingsway, pending municipal support.
“The developer has committed land valued at $2.4 million in addition to design and construction services,” the report said.
“The balance of financing is secured through a bank loan.”
Plans for the studio were publicized in August, when officials outlined their plans to the previous city council.
The direction at the time was for staff to return with a report outlining what other cities have offered film studios, and what role Greater Sudbury could play.
Ontario's film and TV industry contributed a record $2.88 billion to Ontario's economy in 2021, creating 48,135 high-value full-time equivalent direct and spin-off jobs.
“This represents an increase of 92 per cent over the previous year,” the report said, adding that a recovery from COVID-19 is at least partially responsible for the spike in activity.
“Prior to the pandemic there was a steady increase in production impact with $2.16 billion in direct spending in 2019 creating 44,540 jobs.”
Greater Sudbury has become a major production centre, with the city attracting 165 film and TV projects in the last 10 years, with a total local direct impact of more than $216 million.
Options for the city to support the project include under community improvement plans, which offer tax rebates once the project is completed.
The city could also share in the cost of road improvements in the area that will be required to access the site, as well as reduction in development charges.
The studio is looking for the equivalent of $7 million of support from the city through a combination of programs.
Read the full report here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
PM Trudeau presenting premiers with health-care funding offer
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is presenting the federal government's offer for billions in new health-care funding to the provinces and territories at a highly anticipated meeting in Ottawa today. At the first in-person meeting of all First Ministers in years, Trudeau is set to outline how much money his government is willing to provide, and what his expectations are for improving care.

Newborn, toddler saved from rubble in quake-hit Syrian town
Residents digging through a collapsed building in a northwest Syrian town discovered a crying infant whose mother appears to have given birth to her while buried underneath the rubble from this week's devastating earthquake, relatives and a doctor said Tuesday.
Canadians now expect to need $1.7M in order to retire: BMO survey
Canadians now believe they need $1.7 million in savings in order to retire, a 20 per cent increase from 2020, according to a new BMO survey. The eye-watering figure is the largest sum since BMO first started surveying Canadians about their retirement expectations 13 years ago.
U.S. actor facing sex charges in Nevada also facing charge in B.C.
A former actor in the movie 'Dances With Wolves' who is facing eight sex-related charges in Nevada is also facing a charge in British Columbia.
Quake deaths pass 6,200 as Turkiye, Syria seek survivors
Search teams and emergency aid from around the world poured into Turkiye and Syria on Tuesday as rescuers working in freezing temperatures dug, sometimes with their bare hands, through the remains of buildings flattened by a powerful earthquake. The death toll soared above 6,200 and was still expected to rise.
Germany, Denmark, Netherlands pledge Ukraine Leopard 1 tanks
Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands announced Tuesday that they plan to provide Ukraine with at least 100 refurbished Leopard 1 battle tanks, a pledge that comes as Kyiv anticipates a new Russian offensive around the anniversary of its invasion.
Dog named Kujo likely to 'kill or injure,' B.C. court rules in euthanasia decision
A dog named Kujo will be euthanized after a B.C. judge determined the animal is "likely to kill or injure" if released from the pound.
One-third of households say they're financially worse off compared to year ago: poll
A new poll finds one-third of Canadian households say their financial situation has worsened over the last year. According to a Leger poll commissioned by the Association for Canadian Studies, 34 per cent of Canadian households say they're financially worse off compared with a year ago.
Canada announces $10 million in aid to Turkiye, Syria after deadly earthquake
Ottawa says Canada will contribute $10 million to earthquake relief efforts in Turkiye and Syria as part of an initial aid package.